Philosophy

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FROM STUDY TO SKILLS

All academic programs offered at the UM help students develop valuable transferable skills. As a Philosophy concentrator, you will be uncovering, analyzing, and evaluating the values and assumptions implicit in human activities and practices, such as science, the arts, religion, morality, ethics, and social and political institutions. Thus Philosophy could be considered the fundamental liberal arts major.

In its emphasis on questioning and knowing, the pursuit of Philosophy will help you acquire excellent analytical and critical evaluation skills, which will be applicable to a wide range of careers.

Communication Skills

BUILDING YOUR SKILLS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Employers seek out individuals who can demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, teamwork and interpersonal skills, initiative, and a strong work ethic. Student organizations and campus employment offer valuable opportunities to add to the skills you are developing in your classes. Philosophy student organizations include the Undergraduate Philosophy Club and the Student Secular Alliance Club. Other ways to build skills include study abroad, off-campus employment or volunteering in the community. Finally, a summer internship may be the best way of all to test out a career field and develop marketable skills.

FROM SKILLS TO CAREER

Philosophy concentrators develop high-level analytical and communication skills applicable to a wide range of careers. For example, the ability to interpret conflicting points of view with accuracy and reach a decision that is rationally and objectively defensible may be equally useful whether working as a mediator, a diplomat, or a member of a biomedical ethics committee.

Many concentrators go on to graduate, law, or other professional school. The list below is a sample of careers undertaken by Philosophy graduates.

CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS

The prerequisite for the concentration is one 100- or 200-level Philosophy course with a C or better. The concentration requires 25 credit hours at a minimum, of which at least one must be a 400-level course. We also offer an honors concentration and a 15-credit minor.

For further information, please make an appointment with a concentration advisor.